Structural Steel Sections

 Hot-Rolled Sections
o Involves casting molten steel and then rolling into desired shapes while preventing it from
cooling completely

Wide-Flanged (W-Shapes)
 One of the commonly know I-shapes
 Notation: W a × b
o a = depth of shape (in inches)
o b = linear weight (in pounds per foot
length)

American Standard Beam (S-Shapes)

 Notation: S a × b
o a = depth of shape (in inches)
o b = linear weight (in pounds per foot
length)

Miscellaneous I-Shapes
 Notation: M a × b
o a = depth of shape (in inches)
o b = linear weight (in pounds per foot length)
Channels (C-Shapes)
 Also called American Standard Channel
 Notation: C a × b
o a = depth of shape (in inches)
o b = linear weight (in pounds per foot
length)
 Typically used for purlins

Angles (L-Shapes)
 Available as either equal leg or unequal leg
 Notation: L a × b × c
o a & b = leg dimensions (in inches;
longer leg first)
o c = leg thickness (in inches)
 Structural Tees
 Also called split-tee
 Notation: WT a × b
o a = depth of shape (in inches)
o b = linear weight (in pounds per foot
length)
 Typically used for chord members in trusses

Hollow Structural Shapes (HSS)

 Also called structural tubing
 Used for pleasing architectural appearance
 Notation: HSS a × b × c
o a & b = outside section dimensions
(in inches; longer dimension first)
o c = thickness (in inches)
Combination Shapes
 Combination of different shapes such as angles, channels, and I-shapes
Miscellaneous Shapes
 Bars
 Plates
 Pipes
 Built-up Sections
o Used for special requirements or
conditions
o Uses plates and/or standard shapes
to make
o Assembled by welding
o Usually labeled with letter B (e.g. BW
for built-up W-shapes)

 Cold-Formed Sections
o Involves bending thin sheets of steel into desired shape without heating
o Advantages
 Very versatile; any cross-section may be formed
 Increased yield strength
o Disadvantages
 Only applicable for light applications
 Ductility is reduced
 Typical Cold-Formed Steel Sections

 Section properties of both hot-rolled and cold-formed sections can be found in ASEP Steel
Handbook 2004 Volume 1 (Dimensions and Properties).